Iceland - Flag History

Last modified: 2002-07-20 by rob raeside
Keywords: iceland | island | europe | cross | scandinavian cross |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors

• From 1350 to 1896
• 1897
• 1903
• Alternate proposal of 1914
• The flag of 1915

See also:

• Iceland
• Coat of arms of Iceland
• Governmental flags of Iceland
• Royal flags of Iceland

From about 1350 Iceland's arms were on a red field a silver stockfish (a split and dried cod) with a golden crown. These arms were incorporated into the arms of the Kings of Denmark, and so were a part of the Danish Royal standard until this century. Incidentally, it was also part of several Greek royal flags, since the Greek royal family was related to that of Denmark. As Iceland went with Norway in union with Denmark, the Danish flag was used also in Iceland.
Jan Oskar Engene, 6 January 2001

There was no need for an Icelandic flag during this period, since its only use would have been on sea, but ships used the Danish flag. The first idea regarding an Icelandic flag was put forward in 1809. In that year a Danish adventurer, Jörgen Jörgensen, captain of a British ship, became an usurper in Iceland for a few weeks. He declared himself king and soon afterwards announced a new flag, blue with three stockfish (see: http://www.ismennt.is/not/ggg/fani1.htm) This flag was first put up on 12th of July 1809. - As mentioned before Jörgensen was soon arrested and his short-lived reign did not have much influence in Iceland and the flag was put away. Later, appr